further away than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "further away than" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare distances between two or more objects or locations. Example: "The mountain is further away than I initially thought."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are further away than ever".

The New York Times

Look much further away than that".

The New Yorker

But mainstay status is further away than ever.

The Guardian - Sport

A Middle East peace now seems further away than ever.

The New York Times

Yet today reunification seems further away than ever.

The New Yorker

This seems further away than it ever has been.

The Guardian - Opinion

I am just going a bit further away than most.

The Guardian

Consensus on financial reform seems further away than ever.

The Guardian - Opinion

NGC 3256 is much further away than M82, so the probability of source confusion increases.

Harvard University

Human-level artificial intelligence is probably further away than many people think.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Both memberships are far from the centre, Tory members even further away than Labour's.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "further away than", ensure the comparison is clear and the objects being compared are explicitly stated. Avoid ambiguity by specifying units of measurement if necessary.

Common error

Avoid using "further away than" without a clear point of reference. For example, instead of saying "The destination is further away than expected", specify what the expectation was: "The destination is further away than we estimated on the map."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "further away than" functions as a comparative, indicating that one thing is at a greater distance than another. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment of the phrase and is supported by numerous examples showing its use in comparing distances, both literal and figurative.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "further away than" is a common and grammatically sound comparative phrase used to express relative distance, both physically and conceptually. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely employed across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media and Academic writing. To ensure clarity, it's important to specify the objects being compared, and, as the data shows, this expression is more about comparing the relative distance of something or someone compared to something else. While "farther" might be more precise for physical distances, "further away than" is acceptable and versatile. Alternatives like "more distant than" or "at a greater distance than" offer more formal options. Ludwig.ai provides useful examples of how to use this phrase in different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

more distant than

Emphasizes distance as a general concept, instead of using the word "away".

farther from than

Replaces the adjective "away" with the preposition "from" for a subtle variation in structure.

more remote than

Highlights the feeling of isolation or inaccessibility.

at a greater distance than

Presents a more formal and technical way of expressing the comparison.

more out of reach than

Focuses on the unattainability or difficulty in reaching something.

more beyond than

Suggests something is located past a certain limit or boundary.

more unachievable than

Shifts the focus from physical distance to the impossibility of achieving something.

more improbable than

Changes the meaning to express that something is less likely than something else.

at a remove from

Implies a separation or detachment from something, rather than a specific distance.

past the point of

Indicates something is beyond a certain condition, level or hope.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "further away than" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "more distant than" or "at a greater distance than". These alternatives provide a more sophisticated feel, particularly in academic or professional contexts.

Is there a difference between "farther away than" and "further away than"?

While both "farther" and "further" can refer to physical distance, "farther" is typically preferred for measurable distances. "Further" often relates to metaphorical or non-physical distances. So, while both are acceptable, using "farther away than" when referring to physical distance is generally considered more precise.

What's a more concise way to say "further away than"?

If appropriate for your context, you might use a simpler comparative adjective like "more remote than". This reduces the word count while maintaining a similar meaning.

Can "further away than" be used for abstract concepts, not just physical distance?

Yes, "further away than" is versatile and can describe abstract concepts. For instance, you could say, "A solution seems "more unlikely than" ever," implying a solution is increasingly improbable, even if not physically distant.